Windows 10: Windows Search/Indexing Stops Working - Can't Rebuild

After initially starting my computer, Windows Search seems to function correctly. After a while it stops responding at all. I am unable to enter the indexing options from control panel to rebuild the index (nothing happens when I click on it). I attempted to restart the Windows Search service via services.msc, but am greeted with the message "Windows could not stop the Windows Search service on Local Computer. Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion". What can I do?

:)

 

Windows not searching program names?

Okay I found the answer!

What I needed to do was:

1.) Rebuild the index

2.) Stop the Windows Search Service

3.) Delete the search "Data" folder where the index is saved (see indexing options for the location)

4.) Restarted the Windows Search Service

5.) Rebuild the index again

And that fixed it!

 

indexing

Thank you for tgrying to help me. I have followed this advice - I got right through to windows search - open search. the start up type is automatic - services status( it says 'stopping)' - the 4 buttons 'start' 'stop' 'pause' 'resume' are all grayed out.
I am unable to proceed further along that route. I have tried control pannel indexing options - indexing not running - and the index locations list is blank. The 'advanced options leads to the 'REBUILD INDEX'. Clicking on this - nothing appears to happen.
Have tried looking for some rebuild activity in Task Manager - processes - nothing listed there. When an Index rebuild is in process does anything show on screen?

Sorry - still can't get this thing to work. All the right buttons are there, but they don't work.

Regards - Peter Comfort

 

To be honest, Windows search is one of the first service I disable after every Windows Install and use a third party search engine instead.
Having said that, The Windows Search database might be corrupted. Open "Folder Options" and check mark on "Show hidden files..." and uncheck "Hide protected operating ..." then look under: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows. The windows search database file is Windows.edb. With Windows Search service disabled, delete this file, re-enable Windows Search service and let Windows rebuild the database.